Summer is the time for jetsetting around the country and the world. With all that time on planes, you may worry about getting into an aviation accident. From planes going missing to pilots losing control and more, there’s a lot that can go wrong when you’re a mile-high. Fortunately, if you are a victim to an aviation accident, a personal injury attorney can help you attain your rightful damages.
Here is what you need to know about whether or not it’s even safe to fly in a plane, what constitutes an aviation accident, different types of aviation accidents, common injuries from aviation accidents, and complications that can arise. Let’s get into it.
Is It Safe To Fly In A Plane?
Worried about whether or not it’s even safe to board a plane? Don’t be! Commercial air travel is one of the safest types of transportation – so much so that in 2021, the lifetime odds of dying in an aviation accident were too small to calculate.
Aviation accidents are most likely to occur in small planes rather than on commercial airlines. About 79% of aviation accidents and 72% of fatalities from airline accidents resulted from crashes involving small planes. Commercial airlines average about 30 accidents per year.
So, statistically speaking, you are more likely to be struck by lighting than you are to die in an aviation accident. As a matter of fact, flying is about 100x safer than driving. So, yes, it is safe to fly in a plane.
What Constitutes An Aviation Accident?
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration defines an aviation accident as an occurrence that is directly associated with the operation of an aircraft that takes place between the time people board the aircraft with intent to fly until the last person deplanes. It is an aviation accident when someone on the aircraft is seriously or fatally injured and the aircraft sustains damage.
Aviation accident law covers both small, general aviation accidents and ones from major air carriers. General aviation includes all types of non-commercial aircraft, from small airplanes to charter flights to helicopters and hang gliders.
Different Types Of Aviations Accidents
Rare though aircraft accidents may be, there are many different types. Some of the most frequent types of these accidents include:
- Pilot Error. All types of aircraft are difficult to pilot, which is why it takes 55+ hours of flight time to get a private pilot license and 1500+ hours of flight time to fly for airlines. However, even the most trained, experienced person can make mistakes. When you’re a pilot, mistakes can result in accidents.
- Mechanical Failure. From engine failure to design flaws, it only takes one piece of defective equipment to result in an aircraft crash. In these types of accidents, either the aircraft designer or manufacturer can be found at fault.
- Air Traffic Control Error. Air traffic controllers must be able to manage airplanes taking off and landing. Mistakes on their parts can result in accidents, such as collisions.
- Ground Crew Negligence. Ground crews must clear the runway of obstructions. Failure to do so could result in an aircraft hitting something like a baggage cart and careening out of control.
- Weather. Bad weather makes flying dangerous. Snowstorms are easier to predict, giving airlines enough time to delay flights as needed, but thunderstorms can take pilots by surprise. Unforecasted storms and other such weather conditions can cause accidents by creating dangerous flying conditions.
- Turbulence. Turbulence is fairly common, but if passengers are not warned about it and prepared for it, they can become injured.
- FAA Regulation Violations. In many accidents, investigators find that there was failure to adhere to FAA regulations by a party involved, be it the pilot, the air traffic controller, or someone else.
Common Injuries Sustained From Aviation Accidents
While plane accidents may be few and far between, when they do occur, they tend to be severe. Many different types of injuries can be sustained, even while taxiing.
Some common injuries include:
- Slip and fall
- Burns
- Assault and battery
- Hit by baggage
- Food poisoning
- Emotional trauma
- Soft tissue injury
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Brain injury
- Wrongful death
- And more
Complications With Aviation Accidents
With these types of accidents, usually the initial problem gets aggravated by another issue, causing there to be multiple people who can be held liable for the accident. For instance, a mechanical issue can be worsened by pilot error.
Plus, while each state has their own aviation laws, most flights cross state borders. As such, it’s important to have a personal injury attorney with experience in aircraft accidents on your side in order to ensure that you can file a successful suit.
Were You Or Someone You Love Victim To An Aviation Accident?
LeBaron & Jensen is here to help. We provide free case consultations to determine whether you have a case and whether we are a good fit for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about what our personal injury attorneys can do for you.
